During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the development of a whistleblower policy for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD), inspired by the historical efforts of former New York City police detective Frank Serpico. Serpico, now 88 years old, is recognized for his role in advocating for whistleblower protections in the early 1970s, following his own experiences with police corruption.

The proposed policy, which is currently being shaped with input from council member Ansley Ponder, aims to provide a structured avenue for police personnel to report misconduct. The initiative is linked to the Lamplighter project, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Serpico, which encourages individuals within law enforcement to voice their concerns without fear of retaliation. The term \"lamplighter\" is preferred over \"whistleblower,\" symbolizing the act of illuminating wrongdoing.

While the initial focus of the policy is on the police department, there is potential for it to expand into a citywide initiative. Ponder is expected to collaborate with other council members and the MNPD to refine the policy further. The meeting underscored the importance of establishing a robust framework for whistleblower complaints, which advocates believe is essential for fostering accountability and transparency within the police force.